Coros Adds Voice Notes to Smartwatches

Coros, a relatively new player in the sports wearable market, is making significant strides by integrating microphones into its latest watches, including the Pace 4, Apex 4, and Nomad models. These microphones are not for typical smartwatch functions but are used to record voice notes during workouts, which are then mapped to specific GPS locations. This allows users to capture their subjective feelings or conditions during exercise for future reference or analysis.

CEO Lewis Wu views voice technology as pivotal for the future, especially with the rise of AI. He anticipates that voice will become the primary method for users to interact with devices and receive feedback, transforming training by incorporating subjective athlete input alongside traditional metrics like pace and heart rate. Wu stated that Coros is building microphones into all future watches to ensure they are future-proof.

Beyond voice features, Coros is also committed to improving its health and wellness system, acknowledging that current offerings like sleep monitoring and continuous heart rate tracking need enhancement. The company's philosophy centers on supporting athletes by helping them stay healthy and injury-free, positioning their wellness system to enable sustained sports participation rather than deriving health solely from activity.